Bottled beers tasted and reviewed
Feeling peaky?
Most of the time, the walkscotland.com gear test team spends its time trying on expensive waterproof jackets, soft fleeces and bobbly hats. However, this month, in a break from tradition, we set ourselves the somewhat onerous task of sampling beer (something that normally never ever happens in the walkscotland.com office). The challenge was to find as many bottled beers named after Scottish mountains as we could. A thorough investigation undertaken in the booze aisle of Safeway threw up a few, while others were sourced after many happy hours surfing the 'net. In total we found seven (although one of them is named after a glen, rather than a mountain). The biggest haul came from the Isle of Skye Brewery - Red Cuillin, Black Cuillin and Blaven. The Bridge of Allan Brewery Company makes two - Ben Nevis and Glencoe, while the Harviestoun Brewery in Dollar produces Schiehallion. All were sampled by a bearded real ale expert and walkscotland.com's thirsty hillwalker (beardless). The only one missing from this very thorough testing process is the Aviemore Brewery's Cairngorm which we hope to add shortly (hangover permitting).
Isle of Skye Brewery Red Cuillin |
|
 |
Bearded real ale expert says: Smooth, malty and slightly nutty; lightly fuggles-hopped for aroma. Named after the famous hills of the Isle of Skye, Red Cuillin is a premium ale, which has won many awards.
It has a malty nose, with a touch of caramel and oats and a slightly over-stewed hoppy edge, although
there's a touch of sweetness present.
Thirsty hillwalker says: A very refreshing bottle of beer which certainly slakes the thirst after a day on the hills. This is light and slips down easily. Highly recommended. Red Cuillin is available fairly widely in bottle form and can also be found on tap in a number of pubs, including the Sligachan Hotel, in the shadow of the Red Cuillin where I first enjoyed a pint of it. |
| ABV 4.2 | |
| 500ml | |
| Available from Safeway or order online direct from the brewery (delivery only available to UK addresses). | |
| £1.50 | |
Isle of Skye Brewery Black Cuillin |
|
 |
Bearded real ale expert says: Black Cuillin
is best described as a Scottish style light stout. The aroma is roasty and elegant,
the head is rocky and off white in colour. It tastes silky smooth, a mix of roast malt and
roast rolled oats. This results in a delicate smooth texture. The flavour is
one of roast malt with a fruity edge and there's a sharp, almost spicy touch hidden within.
Brewed with rolled roast oatmeal and honey, Black Cuillin is a unique strong flavoured dark ale.
Thirsty hillwalker says: Resembles black peaty bog water and, frankly, tastes equally unappealing. A fairly depressing glass of ale - drinking a full pint of the stuff is akin to trudging through Glen Sligachan in the pouring rain. More penance than pleasure, unfortunately. |
| ABV 4.5% | |
| 500ml bottle | |
| Order online direct from the brewery (delivery available only to UK addresses). | |
| £1.50 | |
Isle of Skye Brewery Blaven |
|
 |
Bearded
real ale expert says: It starts promisingly enough, with a large, foamy head - bitter to the tongue, sour and hoppy on the nose. In the mouth, however, it is a little thin - it certainly tastes well below its alcoholic strength. This is very much characteristic of a standard rather than a premium bitter - light, bitter, but disappointing. There is some citrus hop content present leading to a fruity, bitter and short aftertaste. Although not at all bad, there are better island brews available.
Thirsty hillwalker says: Try as we might we couldn't get a bottle of this across in time for our test. We ordered it through a specialist shop, but they were out of stock. Available on tap only on the Isle of Skye. |
| ABV 5% | |
| 500ml bottle | |
| Buy from the Isle of Skye Brewery (unfortunately not available online). | |
| £1.50 | |
Harviestoun Schiehallion |
|
| Bearded real ale expert says: An award-winning cask conditioned pilsner beer, Schiehallion is crisp, refreshing, slightly fruity, and hoppy. It has won numerous awards
and is three times gold winner at the Great British Beer Festival. It is light gold in colour and has a citrusy taste and nutty finish. It is brewed by
the Harviestoun Brewery in Dollar using lager malt and lager hops (hersbrucker) and fermented with a lager yeast. In every other way, it is treated as a cask ale.
Thirsty hillwalker says: Not a million miles away from a lovely refreshing pint of lager - but without all the fizz and chemicals. The flavour is smooth and subtle with no lingering after-taste, making its eminently drinkable stuff. Very crisp, very refreshing and worth its awards. The perfect way to replace all that sweat lost on a hot day in the hills. |
|
| ABV 4.8% | |
| 500ml bottle | |
| Available from Safeway. | |
| £1.69 | |
Bridge of Allan Brewery Company Ben Nevis |
|
|
Bearded real ale expert says: Hand brewed in Bridge of Allan, this traditional 80/- Ale is a full-bodied, rich and malty flavoured
organic beer with a lightly hopped aftertaste. Eighty Shilling (80/-) was the old Scottish beer duty rate and has now become a descriptive term for this type of beer.
Thirsty hillwalker says: Slips down a treat. I really enjoyed quaffing a bottle of this one. The taste is pleasant and not over-strong and it is extremely refreshing after a day on the hills. One of those beers you could happily drink far too much of. |
| 4.0% ABV | |
| 500ml bottle | |
| Available from Safeway. | |
| £1.49 | |
Bridge of Allan Brewery Company Glencoe Wild Oat Stout |
|
|
Bearded real ale expert says: Brewed in the heart of Scotland using the finest malts, pure Scottish water and wild oats. This traditional stout has a creamy toasted oatmeal flavour and
is gently hopped. Complex roast malt aromas and a smooth silky aftertaste are characteristic of this ale. This stout is as mysterious and compelling as the Glen it is named after.
Thirsty hillwalker says: This tipple only just makes it into the survey, given it is named after a glen, rather than a mountain. It wasn't to my particular taste so I passed it on to a stout drinker who was well impressed with the smooth taste and full body and gave it a recommendation. |
| 4.5% ABV | |
| 500ml bottle | |
| Available from Safeway. | |
| £1.59 | |
